After a frustrating 2020 of missed mega-fights amid a bewildering Pandemic, the heavyweight encounter between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce is a welcome antidote to a year of malaise either side of the ropes.
Two unbeaten heavyweight punchers, hailing from different ends of London, promise to captivate fight fans when they finally settle their score at Church House, Westminister, on Saturday night – live on BT Sport 1 HD in the UK.
The bookmakers fancy Dubois, with BetFred labelling him a 3/10 favourite, but no-one is expecting an easy night as ‘Dynamite’ threatens to explode against the ceaseless ‘Juggernaut’.
So, who wins and how? Boxing Social’s courageous band of writers and wannabe psychics attempt to predict the outcome.
Joyce can appear ponderous, but he’s absolutely relentless. He’s a huge test for Dubois and not going to roll over lightly. Whilst Joyce has had more coaches than National Express, I feel the absence of Ismael Salas in his corner downgrades his chances. I’m not sure his physicality will be enough against the speed, vitality and sheer explosiveness of Dubois. Body-punching could prove a key route to victory before Dubois eventually overwhelms a game but flagging Joyce around the ninth round. – Mark Butcher.
I like Dubois here. Jennings was able to hurt Joyce to the body and Dubois is an underrated body puncher. I think that Dubois will break down Joyce around the eighth. – John A. MacDonald.
I reckon Joe Joyce breaks the exciting, dangerous Daniel Dubois down. Joe’s fitness, unmatched amateur foundation/pedigree/tenure and thudding power will combine just at the right time and Sam Jones will regrettably take the mic post-fight for a spot of karaoke. Dubois will come again; he’ll be a world champion within five years – but this weekend it’s time for the Big Juggernaut. – Craig Scott.
I can’t see past Dubois in this fight. I think Dubois takes advantage of Joyce’s notorious slow starts and puts work in the bank early to finish off with later. Joyce won’t stop, we know that but I think Dubois will break him down with the jab and body shots winning via stoppage in round 10. – Shaun Brown.
I have sided with Dubois since the fight was first announced. Despite the emergence of some recent nagging doubts, my opinion remains unchanged. Joyce has the amateur pedigree and the better wins as a pro. However, I still expect Dubois to triumph over the ponderous and hittable 35-year-old. I don’t anticipate an all guns blazing shootout in the opening rounds, although it would make for an entertaining spectacle. Joyce is routinely a slow-starter and Dubois is likely to pick his shots rather than risk getting tagged whilst chasing an early finish. With that in mind, I am backing a Dubois stoppage around the 8 or 9 round mark. – Garry White.
OUTCOME: Dubois 4 Joyce 1.